Eastshore Alliance 2007B Navy Team Competes at ECNL RL National Championship in Virginia
Richmond, VA – The Eastshore Alliance 2007B Navy team is set to showcase their talent at the prestigious ECNL RL National Championship, kicking off their first match on July 16 at 12 PM against FC Wisconsin. Depending on the outcome, their next game will be on July 17, with the time yet to be determined.
Coach Mark's Insights on the Journey
We caught up with Coach Mark, who has been with this group since they were five years old, nurturing their growth for over a decade. Reflecting on the season, Coach Mark shared that the team had a strong performance, leading the league for most of the year. However, they lost the league title on the last day of the season to the second-place team, ending the regular season on a sour note.
Despite this setback, the team qualified for the regional playoffs in Southern California. They faced a tough start, losing their first match but quickly turned things around to advance through the group stages. "I think the team saved their best soccer for the playoffs," said Coach Mark.
One of the season's highlights was the team’s resilience in the face of numerous injuries. Coach Mark noted, "Match to match, a new player was stepping up and playing a position they had never played before. Every time I asked a player to take on a new role, they did it well." He described the team as highly adaptive, constantly adjusting their play to counter their opponents. "The team has a lot of freedom on the field, so the players themselves have to be extremely intelligent and make collective choices together in response to what the opponent is doing. They do that extraordinarily well," he added.
Director of Coaching's Perspective
Niall Irwin, Director of Coaching at Eastshore Alliance FC, expressed his pride in the team’s accomplishments. "The club is extremely proud of this group of boys and what they have achieved in their first year at EAFC. Coach Mark has done a tremendous job in preparing the team to compete at the highest level. We look forward to seeing them progress and develop even more in the coming year and wish them all the best at the upcoming showcases," said Irwin.
Facing Nationals with Determination
Heading into Nationals, the team faces challenges with a smaller squad due to missing players. They will also be integrating some younger players from the club. Coach Mark expressed his hope that the players will step up and demonstrate their capabilities on this significant stage.
Player’s Perspective
We also spoke with Michael, a center midfielder who has been with Coach Mark for ten years. Michael is eager to compete and set a positive tone for the upcoming fall season. "It would be really nice to win something meaningful before starting the new season," Michael shared. He aims to help his team by enhancing communication on the field, stepping up as a leader, and supporting his teammates. Michael acknowledges the challenge of not having a full roster but remains confident in the team's ability to compete well.
The Eastshore Alliance 2007B Navy team is ready to embrace the challenge at the ECNL RL National Championship, bringing their adaptive spirit and collective strength to the forefront. As they take on some of the best teams in the nation, their journey and growth under Coach Mark's guidance continue to inspire and showcase the true essence of teamwork and perseverance.